Lapis lazuli is a rock composed of a mixture of several different minerals
including lazurite, huaynite, sodalite, noselite, calcite and pyrite. Diopside, augite,
mica and hornblende may also be present in small amounts.

Lapis lazuli is imitated today by a number of methods typically involving the use
of dyes on a variety of natural rocks and on synthetic materials.

Some mineral dealers use dyes in combination with the crushing and reconstitution
of lower grade lapis lazuli to make "re-constituted lapis lazuli".

Lapis lazuli usually occurs in crystalline limestones as a result of contact
metamorphism.

Lapis lazuli is characteristically recognized by its color. It yields H2S
gas (smells of rotten eggs) when subjected to HCl. The presence
of pyrite can distinguish natural lapis lazuli from many (but not all) of the
lapis simulants.

The meaning of Lapis Lazuli comes from the Persian word lazhward which means
blue, in allusion to its color. In ancient times, lapis lazuli was
known as sapphirus, which is the name that we use today for the blue corundum variety
sapphire.

Lapis Lazuli has been highly valued for many thousands of years.
The most famous locality for fine quality lapis lazuli is the
same ancient deposit high in the mountains of Afganistan where it was originally
mined at least 6000 years ago. Lapis lazuli was often made into jewelry,
carvings, amulets and talismans which were believed to have occult powers.
It was used by the ancient Egyptians in many religious ceremonies, and was
often used as an inscription stone for various passages
from the Book of the Dead.
Lapis lazuli was one of the stones in
the 'Breastplate of Judgement' of
Aaron, described in the Bible (Exodus: xxviii, 15-30).
Lapis lazuli was said to dispell melancholy
and depression, and to cure recurring fevers. Wearing lapis lazuli jewelry was also said to impart
ancient knowledge, and the wisdom to use it.

Up until the nineteenth century, lapis lazuli was ground up and mixed with
oil to produce the deep
blue-green pigment known as ultramarine which meant literally
beyond the sea, as the lapis lazuli was brought from far away by ship.
Since 1828, this pigment has been produced synthetically from a roasted mixture
of kaolin clay, sodium sulfate and charcoal.

Lapis lazuli today is still a very popular lapidary material. It is made into a variety of
hand-crafted objects such as carvings, spheres, beads, cabochons
and other jewelry items.